Hanlan's Point, Toronto, Canada

[ottawanudist]

Hi;

I'm planning a trip to toronto, and I'm interested in visiting this beach, but I have a few questions:

1) Are there facilities such as washrooms and lockers?

2) Is it actually legal to be nude there (ie has there been a bylaw approving it or is it technically still illegal?)

3) On the average weekend, how many people are there? What kind of gender balance can I expect?

4) I've heard that it's also known for homosexual activity. While I have no objections against homosexuality, I would prefer not to visit a beach where it goes on.

[Jason Lee]

Hanlan's Point Beach Toronto Island (southern area) has been officially designated as clothing optional by the City of Toronto.

[NudePete]

Originally posted by ottawanudist:
Hi;

I'm planning a trip to toronto, and I'm interested in visiting this beach, but I have a few questions:

1) Are there facilities such as washrooms and lockers?

There aren't lockers, but there are washrooms. The only problem is that you have to leave the beach to use them (i.e. you must get dressed). They are very clean and kept in good working order. There is even a 2 stall indoor shower area for men and a separate one for women - also off the beach.

2) Is it actually legal to be nude there (i.e. has there been a bylaw approving it or is it technically still illegal?)

It is really legal to be nude there. Toronto city council passed a law in 1999. I still can't quite get over that fact and am very grateful for it. Uniformed park officials in motorized golf-carts, and the occasional police patrol the beach at irregular intervals. No one bats an eye. When the beach first became legal some misguided officers tried to apply an old bylaw banning swimming in the nude. They were widely criticized and there has been a good relationship between beach-goers and the cops ever since. I once even saw uniformed paramedics and firemen there once - tending to someone who was having a medical problem.

3) On the average weekend, how many people are there? What kind of gender balance can I expect?

I have counted as high as 650 people on the beach at one time on the Labour day weekend air show. Most weekends will be somewhat less, but still measured in the hundreds. I would say that on week-day afternoons when I usually get to go, there are about 90% men, 10% women of around 150 people on a slow day. On weekends this ratio improves a bit. There is a wide range of ages but it tends to be a mostly older crowd. While I have seen young families and some teens, it is mostly college age and up.

4) I've heard that it's also known for homosexual activity. While I have no objections against homosexuality, I would prefer not to visit a beach where it goes on.

I have heard that the gay end of the beach is the far end (the longest walk from the ferry that you have to take to get there), but I have never seen any open homosexual activity (see my answer to 2, above). I suspect that if it does go on, people leave the beach and go into the woods. I often walk the length of the beach and haven't had a problem or bad experience yet (and I don't expect I ever will). You will not be bothered by anyone. What you probably will see is men sharing the same beach towel and putting sun-screen on each other's backs...stuff like that. No big deal at all.

Have a look at: some of my reports at NudeCanadian.com.

It is an almost white sand beach, and the sand can get very hot so be sure to bring some sandals. You can buy bottled water or soft drinks at either end of the ferry. I think you will have a good time.

[cdg-fr]

all quite accurate.

One additional point - there are now lockers on the beach towards the north end of the co beach, the 2nd boardwalk south.

Also, beach chairs and umbrellas are for rent at nominal prices.

When do you think you will be on beach?

[NudePete]

Yes, and why not write a first time report of how it went?

[Gary Naturist]

NudePete, re the Labour Day weekend / Air Show at Hanlan's Point Beach: What percentage of the beach visitors are nude?

Gary

[NudePete]

Originally posted by Gary Naturist:
NudePete, re the Labour Day weekend / Air Show at Hanlan's Point Beach: What percentage of the beach visitors are nude?

Gary

On that day last year I counted ~650 people, of which >85% or more were nude (if I recall). That's down from the 95% or more it usually is.